Monica and John in Alaska, September 2022

Lower Brooks River, Katmai National Park

Park staff and bear fans keep track of the individual bears from year to year, by noting differences in coloration, proportions, scarring, etc. Each adult bear is assigned a number. Some of the bears, mostly older ones, have names in addition to numbers, but the National Park Service is phasing out the use of names to reduce problems caused by anthropomorphism. According to amateur (practically semi-pro) Katmai bear experts on Facebook, this one is 307, who was only assigned his number this year.